Skip to main content
REDUCE THE URGE TO SCRATCH BY 88% WITH OUR NEW ATODERM AD INTENSIVE BALM SHOP NOW

Sun allergy and photoprotection: everything you need to know

Reading time : 5 min

allergy sun

Sun allergies affect between 10-20% of the population and can have negative impacts on patients' everyday life. Here you will find all the tips to avoid and relieve them with PHOTODERM LEB UVA43 SPF30.

 

Is it possible to be allergic to the sun? Yes, it is! It's a little-known phenomenon that appears in more than one person in ten when the sun comes out.

 

Many people do not associate the sun with the symptoms they experience and live with the condition from spring onwards. That's why understanding the symptoms of sun allergy is the first key to living through the summer more serenely. Symptoms, mechanisms, solutions and the new adapted Photoderm sun protection: we explain it all here!

skin with allergy

What is sun allergy and who develops it?

 

Your skin is itchy, red or some little spots appear under the effect of the first rays of the sun? These could be symptoms of a sun allergy.

 

Sun allergies can take several forms, but the most common is Polymorphic Light Eruption (PLE) (Lucite Estivale Benigne in French, LEB) resulting from an immune reaction of the skin when first exposed to the sun.

 

It is characterized by rapid heating, skin eruptions and severe itching. These symptoms directly affect the areas exposed to the sun, such as the V-area of the chest, arms, shoulders, legs, and for the severe forms also the face. These symptoms appear 2 to 3 days after exposure to the sun. In the absence of any treatment, clinical signs progressively subside in 5 to 15 days and disappear spontaneously.

 

It is important to note that the symptoms reappear with each exposure to the sun, although they are lessened by the appearance of a tan. However, every year the phenomenon appears after the first few exposures and tends to get worse with time.

 

Although it can occur in all skin types, PLE particularly affects young women in their twenties, as well as Caucasians and people with a light phototype.

Do you know your skin concern?

  • Analyze your skin

    Scan your skin and discover your personalized routine
    Try SkinObserver

What is the cause of sun allergy?

 

Recent studies show that PLE is caused by UVA rays, particularly long UVA rays (340nm – 400nm). In fact, they cause an inflammatory reaction that leads to the skin symptoms.

 

On the other hand, UVB are allies for your skin through their ability to tan the skin, allowing it to protect itself against UVA rays. 

 

 

Did you know

 

UVA rays account for 95% of the UV rays received by the skin, and UVB rays only 5%.

That's why it's so important to protect your skin against UVA radiation.

 

 

 

How to protect yourself from sun allergies ?

 

  • Gradual exposure to the sun
    It's important to gradually acclimatize your skin to the sun when the summer arrives, using appropriate sun protection. This will give the skin time to tan gradually, so that it is protected and less reactive to future exposure to the sun. 
  • Exposure at the right time of day
    To minimize the risk of allergic reactions, opt for the sun's shadow and avoid exposure at times when the UV index is high, i.e. between 12.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m.
  • Use an adapted solar protection that is effective against skin allergies
    The use of sun protection with a high protection against UVA is preferable in cases of sun allergies. The new PHOTODERM LEB UVA SPF30 has been formulated for this purpose.
  • Consult a health professional
    In the case of sun allergies, few people consult a doctor, but if the symptoms are severe, don’t hesitate. Your dermatologist can prescribe the appropriate treatment and sun protection.
Photoderm LEB SPF30

A Bioderma Ecobiological Answer

 

Photoderm LEB SPF30

 

Sensitive skin, Solar allergies

 

61% prevents apparition of polymorphic light eruption*

 

Intolerate pruritus divided by 15*

 

*Test carried on 21 volunteers with dry, normal, combination and oily skin on the face and dry, normal and oily skin on the body, phototypes II to VI. 100% sensitive face and body skin, 100% skin prone to sun intolerance and sun allergies as well as skin reactive to the sun, during 21 days

 

 

Discover the product

Your ally against sun allergy : the new PHOTODERM LEB SPF30 UVA43 

 

Bioderma laboratory has developed a new dermatological photoprotection to meet specific skin needs and prevents sun allergies, ecobiologically.

 

 

An optimal protection for sun allergic skin

 

PHOTODERM LEB is a new solar protection formulated by combining a high UVA factor (UVA43) and an enhanced biological protection to prevent and reduce the severity of sun allergy.

 

Furthermore, the SPF will enable the skin to tan progressively and protect itself allowing 3% of UVB to pass through.

 

 

The product offers a high efficacy after 21 days of use:

 

  • of subject found that the product prevents theirsun allergies(1)
  • of subject found that the product prevents redness that are induced by UV exposure(1)
  • of subject found that the product allows a gradual exposure  

 

 

A product that reduces effectively sun allergies

 

Thus, Photoderm LEB strengthens the self-defense capacities of your skin and has clinically demonstrated its efficacy: 96% of patient did not develop sun allergies or only slightly and it significantly reduces by 15 the symptoms such as intolerable pruritus and burning sensations.(2)

 

 

A minimalist filters composition thanks to the efficacy of the sun active defense patent

 

Rather than overloading your skin with unnecessary filters, the ecobiological formula contains the SUN ACTIVE DEFENSE patent, combining 3 carefully selected filters with a biological protection that boosts your natural skin’s self-defense. It prevents up to 96% of DNA damages(3) and provides 77% antioxidant protection.(4)

 

 

A product that responds to the needs of the skin

 

Without any compromise on sensoriality, the formula has a light and fresh gel-cream texture, with rapid absorption, which provides your skin comfort and +30% hydration in 1 hour.(5) In addition, it is made with 66% biomimetic ingredients and without perfume, ensuring a very good tolerance.

 

Furthermore, the product is water and sweat resistant, so it resists to daily-life events.

 

 

Respecting the skin and planet

 

Like all Photoderm suncare products, Photoderm LEB SPF30 has been tested and proven to be non-toxic on aquatic ecosystems. Tests were carried out on 3 seawater and freshwater species: corals, microalgae (NF ISO 10253) and daphnia (OCDE 202).

 

The tube is made of 100% recyclable plastic and all outer boxes are 100% recyclable and made of paper from sustainably managed forests. 

 

 

(1) Usage test under dermatological and ophthalmological control carried on 21 subjects, 100% having skin prone to sun intolerance and sun allergies, during 21 days. 

(2) Clinical study on 606 subjects, already had 3 outbreaks of benign summer lucite, including one the previous year, during 23 days on average.

(3) In vitro analysis of DNA protection after UVA irradiation provided by Sun Active Defense

(4) In vivo evaluation of Sun Active Defense, 10 volunteers, 5 days

(5) Clinical study on 10 subjects, corneometry after a single application (versus t0).